Nav Widget Area

Bald Eagle Concentration Area

Have you ever done something for the first time and wondered why it took you so long to try it because it was so fun? That happened to me last week when I biked a portion of the Capital Trail with the Biking Belles.

bJm asked me to join her group for a 16-mile ride which traversed the completed portion of the trail in Charles City County.

The Capital Trail (a short course)

The Capital Trail is a paved bike and pedestrian path that runs beside scenic Route 5. When complete, it will link Richmond and Williamsburg.

Three sections of the trail are finished: a half-mile path in downtown Richmond, 7.5 miles in Charles City County, and 8 miles in James City County. The trail is scheduled for completion on September 1, 2015, just in time to welcome the UCI World Road Cycling Championships to Richmond.

Biking the Charles City County Trail

We left RVA at 4:00, headed out Route 5 and arrived in Charles City Courthouse at 4:45.

knowing we would return for a post-biking dinner. I warned my companions that I brake for photos, so before the pedaling began, I took the obligatory shot.

aRf, tSt, bJm and mLd ready to ride

The trail is a perfect outing for a fledgling biker like me because it is mostly comprised of straightaways but does have gently rolling hills just for good cardiac measure. We started from Cul’s and headed west for approximately 8 miles to where the trail ended

then enjoyed a refreshing snack

provided by our mother hen, bJm.

As mentioned, the trail follows along side Route 5, an official Scenic Byway in Virginia that passes numerous historic homes and sites, including

Berkeley Plantation, Westover, and Westover Parish, which we covered in our post about the Autumn Pilgrimage. Scenic and bucolic,

the trail permits the mind to wander and conversations to percolate. We stopped periodically, one time to sample the wild blackberries

growing beside the trail. On the return trip we detoured down Willcox Wharf Road to the Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park on the James River.

Wintering bald eagles,

great blue heron, and an abundance of other wildlife make their home in this small park. I had to stop myself from taking a choice piece of driftwood

home with me.

The Finish Line

After scanning the skies hoping to see bald eagles, we hopped on our bikes and headed back to the trail. A few minutes later we were back in Charles City, sweaty but exhilarated from our ride. We loaded the bikes

while it was still daylight, then headed inside for dinner

where we toasted the great weather and terrific companionship. After munching on burgers, chicken salad sandwich and a wrap called the Courthouse Convict, we returned to RVA along Route 5 and were greeted by one of the finest views of the city.

Better Late than Never

Periodically through the ride I kept asking myself, what rock have I been under? RVA has become Bike City, and I felt late to the party. But no more! I look forward to more outings with the Biking Belles and other like-minded pedalers, once I get my biking gear together. Look for a future post on that topic. Until then,

2 months agoby thegraciousposseCelebrate Flag Day today! Seeing the Stars and Stripes flying over Utah Beach in Normandy along side the French Flag fills me with a spirit of thankfulness for our great nation. #starsandstripes#utahbeach